He turns his mind away from those phenomena, and having done so, inclines his mind to the property of deathlessness: 'This is peace, this is exquisite — the resolution of all fabrications; the relinquishment of all acquisitions; the ending of craving; dispassion; cessation; Unbinding.' (Jhana Sutta - Thanissaro Bhikkhu translation)

I know you're crazy busy preparing, but if by a slim chance you have time, could you write an essay on your journey towards ordination? I would love to post it to my Aspiring American Buddhist Monastics Support Group on facebook (link in signature). Doesn't have to be long at all. I think it would be of great inspiration to our members.

Ah, how I long for this day. It may never happen but I can always dream...

Dhammakid wrote:I know you're crazy busy preparing, but if by a slim chance you have time, could you write an essay on your journey towards ordination?

I'll do my best

mettaJack

"For a disciple who has conviction in the Teacher's message & lives to penetrate it, what accords with the Dhamma is this:'The Blessed One is the Teacher, I am a disciple. He is the one who knows, not I." - MN. 70 Kitagiri Sutta

Congratulations on entering the path to ordination. I hope you meet with success and be safe in your journey!

"Upon a heap of rubbish in the road-side ditch blooms a lotus, fragrant and pleasing.Even so, on the rubbish heap of blinded mortals the disciple of the Supremely Enlightened One shines resplendent in wisdom." Dhammapada: Pupphavaggahttp://www.accesstoinsight.org/

The first step on a journey of ten thousand miles,Seemingly the hardest step.

My recently moved Blog, containing some of my writings on the Buddha Dhamma, as well as a number of translations from classical Buddhist texts and modern authors, liturgy, etc.: Huifeng's Prajnacara Blog.

Best wishes on your journey, Jack! You will be missed, but in the best possible way.

"To reach beyond fear and danger we must sharpen and widen our vision. We have to pierce through the deceptions that lull us into a comfortable complacency, to take a straight look down into the depths of our existence, without turning away uneasily or running after distractions." -- Bhikkhu Bodhi

"No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man." -- Heraclitus

Jet lag and then culture shock will be your first enemies. All I can say is be aware and keep your head up. Don't expect it to be easy. You'll probably feel a high at first. Don't make any rash decisions for the first two weeks. And then don't get too down when it is not all you hoped for. Good luck to you friend!Alan